Category: NC legislature

L’affaire Laroque offers unique glimpse into secretive world of legislative ethics

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Brant Clifton

State Rep. Stephen Laroque — a close friend and political ally of House Speaker Thom Tillis — is taking a lot of heat over his management

Will Big Government Republicans scam conservative voters ONE MORE TIME?

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Brant Clifton

In 1994’s Contract With America, U.S. House Republicans pledged to eliminate 95 federal programs. By 2010, according to The Cato Institute, spending on those particular 95 programs

Tolls? Really? Seriously?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Brant Clifton

North Carolina drivers are paying the highest gasoline tax south of The Mason-Dixon Line. Now, our state government wants to shake us down for what’s left in our pockets by

GOP opportunity in Cumberland: Glazier, Parfitt out. Melvin in?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Brant Clifton

The state of politics in Cumberland County is tumultuous, to say the least. State Rep. Rick Glazier — the 800 lb. gorilla in the county’s post-Rand era — is

Tillis & Laroque: A political “family” affair

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Brant Clifton

With federal investigators turning up the heat on state Rep. Stephen Laroque (R-Kinston), it will be interesting to see what — if any — action House Speaker Thom Tillis takes

Morgan foe back in the political saddle

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Brant Clifton

Former state Rep. Richard Morgan’s power-sharing deal with Jim Black and the House Democrats is forever ingrained in North Carolina political history. A small group of conservatives — nicknamed ‘The

NCGOP’s lack of action on tax relief disturbing

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Brant Clifton

The next time you’re filling up your gas tank at your local convenience store and cursing FILL IN THE BLANK (the store owner, the oil companies, George Bush …), think

Game On! Judges refuse to delay NC primary elections

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Brant Clifton

A three judge panel in Raleigh refused this week to grant a request from Democrats and liberal activists to delay the state’s May primary. This decision puts into play

North Carolina’s unemployment insurance mess

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Brant Clifton

The Tar Heel State’s unemployment rate exceeds the national average. Ol’ Bev keeps extending unemployment benefits for the state’s long-term unemployed. All of this is going on in

L’affaire LaRoque gets some federal attention